GreatNews.Life Student Voices: Riley High School celebrates talent, innovation, and community

What’s happened recently?

Recently at Riley High School, the Drama Club put on a production of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” a musical about a group of middle school students competing in a local spelling bee. It was a humorous, lighthearted show that left the Riley auditorium filled with laughter.

The show was held March 13-15 and had a full house every night. Directed by Meghan Bread, it quickly became a fan favorite. The rehearsal process started in early January, and some students even managed to rehearse two shows at once. Senior Oliver Pollock shared his experience with the rehearsal process.

“I felt that this process went extremely well from a professional standard. Having done shows in a professional setting before, this felt exactly the same way. When everyone is here because they want to be and they have a job to do, everything gets done so easily,” Pollock said.

One fun aspect of the show was that four audience members were invited on stage to join in the silly experience of the spelling bee. They were given words like cow, orange, dengue, and even a made-up word, “catterjunes,” which left the spellers nervous and confused.

The talented cast performed numerous songs and dances, making the show extra special. It also explored themes of individuality, imperfection, family, and the pressures of competition. The musical was rewarding for everyone involved, especially the cast members.

“Putting in all that work as a team and then getting to display it in front of an audience is the most rewarding thing for me. Aside from that, I gained performance experience and built beautiful friendships. I cherish every second I spent working on ‘The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,’” Junior Indy Schmanski said.

This show and the Drama Club as a whole continues to be a beloved part of the Riley community. They always bring something meaningful and powerful to the school.

What’s coming up?

Coming up, Riley High School will host its annual Computer Science and Engineering Innovation Fair. Magnet capstone students will have the opportunity to showcase the work they have completed throughout the year.

“The Innovation Fair is students from Riley taking real-world problems and creating solutions to them from all fields of work,” Senior Teon Wadley said.

Wadley and other seniors have been working all year on projects of their choice. In the past, students have created projects such as sun-tracking solar panels, ice rollers, shoe soles, and recycling solutions. Each year brings something new, which is what makes the fair so exciting.

This event allows the community to learn from students while giving them a chance to demonstrate their knowledge and creativity. The Innovation Fair also provides an environment where students can explore their interests before committing to a career path or college degree.

Riley High School is incredibly proud of its Magnet students and the hard work they put into their projects, as well as the way they represent the school.

Staff spotlight:

Janet Tobolski is a beloved math teacher at Riley High School. Although this is only her second year at Riley, she has already made a significant impact on students’ lives. With over 30 years of teaching experience, she has witnessed many changes in education, yet she has always remained passionate about teaching.

Tobolski is a graduate of Saint Mary’s College, where she earned degrees in math and secondary education. However, teaching was not always her intended path. She initially studied physical therapy, then entered an engineering program before eventually switching to accounting and education where she discovered her passion.

“I had to make up for that by taking quite a few summer classes to be able to graduate on time, and I was able to graduate with my class,” Tobolski said.

This reflects her strong work ethic and determination, showing that perseverance through challenges is always worthwhile.

She currently teaches Honors Geometry and Honors Algebra II. Tobolski runs a structured classroom because she values discipline and understands how it prepares students for the future. She especially enjoys teaching upperclassmen because she can build meaningful connections with them.

“They ask me for advice, and I can help by giving them experience, life lessons, and things beyond the curriculum,” she said.

Throughout her career, Tobolski also coached swimming at St. Joseph High School, Clay High School, and also for some time at Riley. Although she no longer coaches, she still enjoys hearing stories from her student-athletes.

After school, she helps with Riley’s “9th Hour,” an after-school program that provides extra academic support. She believes this program is especially valuable for math students who may need additional help.

“If you can just come after school and get that extra help for free, it can be very rewarding,” she said.

Outside of school, Tobolski enjoys spending time with family and friends, as well as outdoor activities, cooking, baking, and gardening.

She has become an important figure in the Riley High School community, and her dedication continues to positively impact students every day.

Student spotlight:

Ella Farrough is an incredibly dedicated senior at Riley High School. She is involved in numerous activities, including Class Cabinet, Student Council, Student Athletic Advisory Committee, and she serves as president of Riley’s National Honor Society. She is also a member of the cross country and tennis teams and has participated in several theater productions this year.

Farrough is currently taking several rigorous AP courses while also completing her second year in the Pre-Nursing CTE program at Washington High School. She especially enjoys her science-based classes.

“Studying human and animal anatomy with a hands-on approach reinforced my interest in medical sciences and inspired me to pursue a career in nursing,” she said.

Farrough is a student that teachers and administrators can always count on to represent Riley positively.

“My favorite part of coming to school every day is seeing the friends I have made throughout high school. I also enjoy learning new things in my classes, especially science-based courses,” she said.

Despite her busy schedule, Farrough enjoys spending her free time with friends, being outdoors, and going to church. She is grateful for the support of her family and friends throughout her high school journey.

Farrough plans to attend Penn State Behrend in Erie, Pennsylvania, to study nursing in the fall. Even as she moves away, her success will continue to reflect the values of Riley High School.

“After graduating college, I hope to begin working in a hospital and possibly attend graduate school back in Indiana,” she said.

She also has some advice for other students as they discover what they want to do.

“The advice I would give to other high school students is quality over quantity,” she said.

Riley High School would not be the same without the positive and inspiring impact Farrough brings to the community. She emphasizes the importance of surrounding yourself with these positive influences, as the decisions made in high school can shape the future.

“Set goals, be kind to others, do what you love, and never stop learning,” she said.